Modern Teaching Methods in Physics with the Aid of Original Computer Codes and Graphical Representations

Abstract

This study describes the possibility and advantages of utilizing simple computer codes to complement the teaching techniques for high school physics. The authors have begun working on a collection of open source programs which allow students to compare the results and graphics from classroom exercises with the correct solutions and further more to be able to easily interact with the source code in order to modify and create their own software. We believe that teaching and learning physics needs to benefit from the modern developments in computer sciences, thus creating a connection between textbook exercises and the use of computers is desirable. The personal experience of the authors suggests that solving a physics problem with the aid of a computer leads to a better understanding of the physical properties of the systems involved in the exercise.